The Pill
contains synthetic hormones. There are two general types of Pill

progestogen only (mini-pill)

combined progestogen-oestrogen
(combined pill)

One effect is to suppress the
triggering mechanism in the brain which causes the
release of follicle stimulating hormone and luteinising
hormone and thus prevent ovulation. The
combined Pill suppresses ovulation in about 98% of
cycles. The mini-Pill suppresses ovulation in about 40%
of cycles.

The Pill also affects the natural
functioning of the endometrium and the cervix. The effect on the endometrium is to disrupt
the normal growth pattern so that it cannot sustain an
embryo.

Progestogen stimulates the production
of G
mucus and thus aims to prevent
sperm penetration and sperm survival.

Quotes
from Professor Erik Odeblad

"The study of the effects of contraceptive
pills on the cervix is a difficult task. A considerable
amount of work is required for each patient and the time
required spans many years, up to 10 years or more. Many
women also want to change to other pills or to other
methods of contraception, or perhaps now want to become
pregnant. It also happens that some pills are withdrawn
from the market. To these difficulties are added the
normal age changes in the cervix and the dynamic
processes which are of constant occurrence. After 3 and
up to 15 months of contraceptive pill use, there is a
greater loss of the S crypt cells than can be
replaced." ("Some Notes on the
Cervical Crypts", Professor Erik Odeblad,
Bulletin of the Ovulation Method Research and Reference
Centre of Australia, Vol 24 No 2 June 1997, p31)

"Regression when taking the Pill
is different for estrogen-dependent crypts (L and
S) and progesteron-dependent
crypts (G) which may in part
overdevelop." (See "Cervical Mucus and
their functions", Erik Odeblad, Journal
of the Irish Colleges of Physicians and Surgeons,
Vol 26 No 1 January, 1997).

"These circumstances may be simply
stated by the expression: a pregancy rejuvenates the
cervix by 2-3 years, but for each year the Pill is taken,
the cervix ages by an extra year." ("The
Discovery of Different Types of Cervical Mucus and the
Billings Method", Professor Erik Odeblad, Bulletin
of the Natural Family Council of Victoria, ISSN
0321-7567, Vol 21 No 3 September 1994, pp3-35).

Summary

Thus the Pill changes the natural
symptoms of fertility on which
most modern natural
family planning is based. There
is a variable recovery period after use of the pill for
these natural symptoms. It is possible for the cervical
crypts to suffer severe atrophication from prolonged use
of the pill (see Ageing of the Cervix).

Other
Effects of the Pill

There
are many side effects of the Pill. A comprehensive
coverage of these is given in the following reference.

A Consumers Guide to The
Pill and Other Drugs, John Wilks,
B.Pharm, MPS, ALL Inc. Stafford Virginia, 1997, ISBN 1-
890712-25-6